25/09/2026
WC2 Day 1 Recap – Krakow, Poland
The 2026 PW World Cup 2 kicked off today in cloudy skies in Krakow, Poland, marking the second stop of this year’s Paddle Worldwide Freestyle World Cup Series. Head Judge Dan Daley opened the event with the OC1 Semi-Finals, where Germany’s Sebastian Kurt Rudolf Nelle delivered a commanding performance — scoring 296 points higher than his nearest rival to secure first place and set the tone for the day. His precision and composure through the technical Krakow features showed why he’s one of Europe’s most consistent paddlers.
The energy stayed high as the Junior Ladies took to the water, bringing a mix of returning finalists and fresh faces to this World Cup series. The class is shaping up for a repeat of the World Cup 1 final, with one exciting newcomer to the cups joining the lineup. Sophie Macken from Great Britain led the charge, combining technical finesse with confident amplitude to help Team GB post a combined score of over 1,000 points — a strong statement heading into the weekend.
The Men’s Kayak Prelims followed, and while the athletes looked deceptively calm, the competition was anything but. The top three athletes were separated by just 40 points, making every trick count. Ireland’s David McClure edged out past champions Tomasz Czaplicki and Tom Dolle, showing that experience and adaptability remain key in Krakow’s dynamic flow. The crowd lining the banks erupted as McClure sealed his spot in the next round with clean, high-scoring rides.
Momentum carried straight into the Women’s Prelims, where reigning World Champion Ottilie Robinson-Shaw once again proved her dominance. She was the only athlete to break the 1,000-point mark, combining explosive aerials with textbook precision. Close behind was Zofia Tula, whose two consistent rides around 800 points demonstrated her confidence and technical control — a performance that could easily translate into a podium push later in the week.
As the sun set over the Krakow course, athletes and spectators alike reflected on a day packed with world-class freestyle action. Tomorrow’s schedule promises even more intensity, featuring Women’s C1 and K1 Semi-Finals, Men’s C1 and K1 Semi-Finals, and the Junior Men’s Semi-Finals kicking off their World Cup 2 campaign. With conditions looking ideal and scores already tight, Day 2 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive days of the season.
